Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: Architecture, Engineering,
Consulting and Construction
Department: Executive
Management/Corporate
Years worked in this industry: 9
Years worked in this department: 6
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): My first
job in the industry I got though a temp agency. They wanted someone with
good computer and phone skills and they wanted someone tough, who wouldn't
be offended easily because the main architect was pretty harsh. I really
liked the industry and a friend of mine was able to get me into the
company I'm at now. They liked that I had the industry background, plus I
had the marketing skills they were looking for and my attitude was exactly
what they wanted. I expressed my interest in working for the company by
showing that I had done my research, I knew what the company did and let
them know I wanted to be a part of their vision.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: I mainly support the
President/CEO and the Executive Vice President, but also assist any staff
who needs help.
Typical work hours: 8am - 5pm
Weekends or overtime hours: I have to
draw the line somewhere. I have come in on a weekend before to work on a
large project, but it's very rare. I do get paid for my overtime.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): $45,000 -
$60,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes. My
company has great medical, dental, and vision plus they offer commuter
benefits, legal counsel benefit and home & vehicle insurance benefits.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
There are actually a lot of terms I hear that most might not understand.
Here are some:
Design-Build. My company is a Design-Build firm. This means
that we provide not just architectural design, but we act as a one-stop
shop for clients who are looking to build a facility by providing our
services in bundled form....we'll design the facility, we'll design the
mechanical system, the electrical system, the structural and fire
protection and plumbing and then we'll build it as well, providing an
on-site superintendent to oversee the work.
GMAX and Lump Sum are pricing
terms we set in the Design-Build industry.
GMAX stands for Guaranteed
Maximum Price (or GMP). We use this to guarantee to the client that it
will not cost more than a specific amount of money to design-build their
facility.
Lump Sum means that the client will pay us for work we've done in one
payment.
A typical day on the job: There is no
typical day for me. I am consistently doing different things day in and
day out.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
1) I like working for architects/engineers. They're a lot more relaxed
than most executives and they get their own coffee.
2) I like knowing that our business is making the world a better place not
only because design build offers integrated services for a value to
clients so that they can build large facilities creating more jobs, but
also because it gives us a chance to put our mark on the world by building
a state-of-the-art facility.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
1) The workload is very unsteady because it depends solely on the economy;
we're consistently adjusting our manpower.
2) It's still a man's world.
3) Constant Change - in the service industry, you cannot stop changing or
you'll go under. You have to be open minded and willing to change your
direction on a moments notice.
Type of workspace/office:
Cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: My main responsibilities are
monitoring the calendars for my bosses and scheduling meetings for them;
catering breakfasts, lunches, dinners, when needed; arranging their travel
reservations which include flight, hotel, car rentals and train;
supporting all staff with any additional needs.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Excellent computer skills, Honest with ability to keep all information
confidential and ability to be as much proactive as they are reactive.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, Fax machine, Color Copier/Printer/Scanner, Black & White
printer, Card Scanner, Telephone, Binding equipment.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint as well as
Adobe Writer, Acrobat Professional, InDesign and Photoshop, Organizing
network folders, Connecting/Disconnecting Network drives and printers,
Setting up Web, Phone and Video Conferencing, Projector and laptop setup
and use for presentations.
Critical soft skills: Excellent
communication skills both written and oral for correspondence with
clients, vendors and other operating companies. Ability to make good
judgments such as when an issue should be brought to executive
management's attention and when it shouldn't be. Would have to be someone
mature who can earn the respect of all management.
Pace of this position: Very slow to
very fast. The pace is never constant. It's always changing.
Geographical region: Midwest U.S.
